The influence of career guidance on students’ subject selection at “Ordinary” level schools in Katakwi District.

Abstract

This study on significance of career guidance on students’ subject selection, was based on three objectives; to establish the forms of career guidance provided, the methods used and influence of career guidance on students’ subject selection in ‘Ordinary’ level schools in Katakwi District.

The research design adopted in this study was Cross sectional Survey. Questionnaires and interview guide were the major tools of data collection from students, teachers, career masters/mistresses and head teachers of the five sampled secondary schools from Katakwi District. Responses from close ended questions was first coded and computed into frequencies and analyzed as percentages. Data generated from open- ended questions was also coded and categorized. Data was then interpreted and analyzed descriptively.

The findings show that there were three forms of career guidance; Social Counseling, Educational and Vocational guidance that are provided. Secondly; the most common method used in the provision of career guidance was group guidance. Thirdly, majority of the respondents reported that Career guidance has big influence to student’s selection of subjects.

It’s concluded that career has a significant influence on students’ subject selection

Basing on the findings of the study, the researcher recommended that Ministry of Education and Sports should extensively monitor implementation of career guidance programmes in all secondary schools in Katakwi District. In addition, multiple methods such as individual, use of career materials and group method should be strengthened in the provision of career guidance. There is also need for school administrators and all the staff to build on ideas students previously acquired about career guidance from various sources; parents, brothers, sisters, peers by providing technical guidance.